Good decision by Jaxport about cruise ship terminal

Ron Littlepage

Friday

Jan 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM

The Jacksonville Port Authority board took action this week to slow down the push to build a cruise ship terminal at Mayport.In a unique approach for government, board members said they wanted to know exactly how much the terminal would cost before agreeing to build it, a step the city obviously skipped with the new county courthouse.The oft-quoted price for the terminal is $60 million, but the board wants to spend the next six months or so getting a solid handle on the price tag.Given the state of the economy, taking the "slow, deliberate, well considered" approach described by the board is wise.Even if the $60 million estimate turns out to be correct, six months from now there may be a more pressing need for that money.The delay also provides time for further debate, and it's a debate that should be led by the City Council, not Port Authority staffers who are dead set on forcing the terminal on the residents of Mayport.First, the rosy projections about the number of jobs and financial impact that supposedly would come with the terminal need a thorough vetting by outside eyes.The just-as-rosy talk about the future of the cruise industry also needs a complete airing considering these tough economic times.There are two other issues that are just as fundamental.Residents opposed to locating the terminal in the fishing village need to provide a detailed plan for what they want in Mayport.If Mayport is to become the center of the area's eco-tourism, how would that work? What kind of attractions would be needed and how would they be paid for?If there are other plans to revitalize Mayport, what are the details?Then there's the question of the terminal itself.If it's built in Mayport, what would be done to prevent Mayport from simply becoming a departure and arrival spot for passengers>What are Jaxport's exact plans for developing Mayport that would make people - and not just cruise ship passengers - want to come to the village and spend money there?How would those attractions be funded?And, by the way, just putting retail space on the first floor of the terminal's parking garage, as Jaxport is recommending, isn't the answer.All one has to do to know that's not the solution is to look at all of the empty retail space in downtown garages the city has wasted money on.As for the garage, one of the dumbest ideas around is building the garage on the waterfront, which is what Jaxport wants to do.Haven't we learned our lesson about misusing valuable waterfront property?A special City Council committee should be established to hear the issues - thoroughly, objectively, in the open and without backroom lobbying.Jaxport may own the property in Mayport it wants to build on, but the people of Jacksonville own Jaxport.This is a decision that must be made carefully. Mayport's future is at stake.ron.littlepage@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4284

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